The pairing makes perfect sense: Both shows, adapted from L.J. Smith novels, have teen heroines, and both come from Kevin Williamson, who loves twists and epic love stories equally. By scheduling them on the same night, the CW hopes those TVD fans who love a mythology-driven drama that moves will stick around for TSC. It worked in week 1: The Secret Circle retained nearly all of its Vampire Diaries lead-in. But what about next week? Are you in or are you out?
I’m in for The Secret Circle, largely because of Gale Harold (pictured). He plays Charles, the father of one of the teens who make up the secret circle of witches. I love that the show opened with him setting a fire that killed the mother of the main character, Cassie (Britt Robertson). He needed Cassie, now orphaned, to move to Chance Harbor, Wash. to live with her grandmother so she could meet the five classmates who’d tell her she’s a witch and completes their circle. They all lost at least one parent 16 years ago when something happened to their circle. What are Charles and Dawn (Natasha Henstridge), the high school principal who’s also a parent of a circle member, plotting? Williamson likes to introduce characters as one thing and have them evolve into something else. So Charles, while first appearing deliciously evil, can’t be all bad, can he?
